In any fleet company, training drivers on how to drive safely is the most important thing to do. Let’s assume that drivers know how to drive safely. They adhere to traffic rules, do not drink and drive, and also do not exceed speed limits.
But still, drivers need to return calls and reply to messages. Some are eager to complete their shifts and get home as quickly as possible to be with their families. Unfortunately, safe driving can sometimes take a back seat to other concerns. As fleet managers, you should try and keep your drivers’ attention on the road. To help you do this, here are four tips you can apply.
No Phone Use When Driving
Many accidents have been caused by drivers getting distracted by phone calls or replying to texts while driving. Distraction through phone use can be stopped by implementing no-phone policies in all fleet companies. Drivers must be constantly reminded that they should not check or reply to messages while driving.
Safety can be increased by improving technology and coming up with ways of disabling or locking phones while the vehicle is moving. Phones are the largest risk, yet they are the tiniest as they fit in our hands.
Reducing Speeding
This is one of the riskiest behaviors that a driver could have. After implementing telematics software, most fleet managers are shocked to learn how often speeding actually happens. The good thing is that the use of telematics technology is where safety starts to improve in a fleet company. Hence, you can visit EyeRide LLC to see the solutions you can implement to manage driver behavior.
Speeding is very dangerous to all drivers and others on the road. It is also very expensive to the bottom line of the operation because it increases fuel consumption and vehicle repairs. Fleet managers should reward drivers who are adhering to speed limits. They may also opt to put speed limiters in their fleet vehicles.
Following a Seat Belt Policy
This should be at the top of the list for fleet managers. All drivers and passengers should buckle up before the vehicle starts moving. This is not only important for fleet drivers, but it also extends to passengers on buses and cabs. Sounds great, right?
Maintaining Vehicles
Engines feel the same heat we feel during summers. In addition to the usual wear and tear, the hot temperatures put a lot of strain on the vehicles’ mechanical parts. Drivers should be proactive concerning their vehicles’ health and make sure all parts are functioning properly.
This happens through the regular servicing of fleet vehicles, attending to any repair needs, and driving the vehicle carefully. This will increase the lifespan of all vehicles and reduce any downtime in carrying out operations. This is also a great way of upholding safety standards.
Conclusion
For all drivers to participate in a culture of safe driving, a company should clearly display fleet policy. It includes safe driver training, personal use allowances, seat belt policy, etc. All this illustrates how important safety is to a company. Drivers should strictly follow all policies.
